Looking for fertilizer. .
 

I would like to get a new fertilizer. What should I look for. I am also growing many of my orchids in semi hydro.

What numbers should I look for? What types of fertilizers do you use?

You should come to my place of employment..:rofl:
So sorry just teasing! :blushing: couldn't resist......rough week back!

Someone will be here to help, no worries. :lol:

I use Ray's Klite at a very low level, about 25ppm nitrogen, that works out a about 1.4g in 6.6 litres.

I am a fan of K-Lite, as well (now, only available through Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies), and would put the MSU RO formula in second place.

There is a large amount of plant nutrition information on Ray's Web site.

I use the MSU formulas from Kelly's Corner - RO formula for ro or rain water and the Tap water formula for when I am busy/lazy or the kitchen sink can't be tied up with my counter-top RO unit and I have to use tap water. I haven't tried the K-lite, but I may give it a go when I am out of the MSU.

I have a lot of plants in S/H and do 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water for both normally potted (in bark/sphag) plants and S/H. My mounted get the same or weaker depending on whether or not I forgot to dilute it to 1/8 teaspoon/gal for them...

Most the orchids are growing well this way, any problsems I am having I doubt are attributable to the ferts.

Basically, fertiliser is just the polishing touches. As long as you don't give too much, and it isn't high in the PK range, ie it's a high nitrogen fertiliser, you won't go far wrong.

Yep. If you look at the biological processes involved, for a plant to put on 1 pound of vegetative mass (easy and fast for corn; long and slow for an orchid), it must process about 25 gallons of water, and only about 5g of NPK fertilizer.

I am using the MSU RO formula with reverse osmosis water for my orchids now.

In our greenhouse we use Peters 20:20:20, monthly in Dec, Jan & Feb, every 2 weeks rest of the year.